Regional map somewhere in 1200 CE Japan

[Jykke]

The first version is available on my introduction post:
http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=4247

I haven't marked any towns or special places on the map as I'm not
sure yet which style would suit this map best. I think the mountains and
other elevations still need a lot of work as they seem to be lacking something.

The forests could have been done differently also, and on a closer look the
ground texture is a bit too bumby.

I would appreciate tips on how to make the mountais more spectacular, as
they get lost too easily to the map (not elevated enough..). I'm currently doing
all the work with photoshop, and having tried other software (dedicated for
creating mountains etc) I came to conclusion that photoshop works better
for me. Also comments on the town etc markers are welcomed.

ps. I know the roads aren't finished

Here's the map:

[Steel General]

It looks like you used Ascension's tutorial(s) as a base for this. I'd go back and look at how he uses Photoshop lighting effects filter to bring out the "height" in his mountains.

I agree the regular grass is to 'bumpy', but that should be easily fixed with a different texture or by perhaps changing the scale of the one you are using.

Because the map itself is quite dark it's difficult for me to say much about the trees/forests.

[Jykke]

It looks like you used Ascension's tutorial(s) as a base for this. I'd go back and look at how he uses Photoshop lighting effects filter to bring out the "height" in his mountains.

Actually I missed the whole tutorial . But I'll be definately giving it a closer look. Thanks!

and.. I'll brobably have to do the texturing all over again..

[Ascension]

First off, I'd make a layer of solid white, set the blend mode to soft light, then change the opacity to suit...this will brighten things up nicely and maybe the mountains will stand out a bit more. If not some color tweaks, lighting effects and maybe a bevel will help along with upping the scale/size of the mountains layer with an edit-transform-scale. Also you might try a layer of 50% gray set to overlay then grab the burn and dodge tools to create gulleys and ridges.

The only real problem I see is that the forests shapes are too regular. You can fix that with a layer mask in black/white (forest is white everything else is black) then hit it with the brush strokes-spatter filter. All in all, it looks pretty solid, just a few minor tweaks will make it shine.
edit - i mean forest edges are too regular, they need to be broken up a bit, the general shapes are great though.

[woekan]

Nice start, a bit to dark.

I like the general lay-out and color use

[Jykke]

Started plotting the map in 3d:

[NeonKnight]

Like the 3d look so far

[Steel General]

The 3D look is pretty durn cool.

[joão paulo]

Looks like the place where I live.

[Jykke]

Update on the work process: Testing main road (red)..
I think I got the mountain textures right.. but the landscape
doesn't seem to work as well as I had hoped. Needs some tuning
I also think the camera angle is pretty ok as it is.

All tips appreciated.